Calling all horror fans! Something eerily exciting is coming to York for the first time this year.
Horror-themed comic convention Horror Fest is making its debut in York in June. Featuring film guests, scary stalls, licensed merchandise, and more – this new event for the city is a must-visit for any horror fan.
The York Horror Fest will take place at The Guildhall, York on Saturday 7 June 2025 from 11am to 4pm.
YorkMix spoke with festival founder John Jackson to find out more.
The Horror Fest started in Hull, before expanding into Leeds. It’s been John’s ambition to bring the event to York – and now the time is here.
“We have been looking for a venue in York for a while, but I was just trying to find the right one,” said John.
“Last summer we signed for the Guildhall in York – it’s a really nice venue and the perfect location as well, so looking forward to that.
“York’s obviously got so much spooky history, so it’s really good to be a part of that.”
John is hoping that the Horror Fest will become an annual event for York. With the event taking place in June, “we’re very aware that the students may have left the city by then, so we’ll see how this one goes.
“But in comparison to Leeds and Hull, the ticket sales have actually been a lot better from the off in York. So we’re looking forward to it being a busy day.”
There will be 30 horror-themed stalls to browse through, with everything from authors writing horror books, horror comics, fashion, licensed merchandise, and more.
There will also be several special horror film guests who will be available for meet and greets. For York, media guests include Rachel Hurd Wood from The First Omen (also Wendy in the non-horror 2003 Peter Pan), Steven Murphy who plays Popeye in the 2025 horror Popeye’s Revenge, and Martin Portlock who plays Peter Pan in the 2025 horror Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare.
Dressing up and cosplay is encouraged at the event. “There’s a big cosplay community in York, I’ve realised.”
Tickets for York Horror Fest are £6 in advance online or £7 on the door.
“Something we’re getting known for now in the convention communities is that our ticket prices are quite cheap,” said John.
“I’d rather make it more accessible to more people than try and price people out. If a family are coming and it’s £12 or £15 a ticket, that’s a lot of money just to get through the door.
“So we just try and keep it as low as possible.”
To find out more and to book your tickets for the inaugural York Horror Fest, visit their website here.